Environment Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

Australians are becoming more worried about climate change, a trend that may build as a budding El Nino weather event in the Pacific Ocean increases prospects for a summer of heatwaves and bushfires, analysts say.

A strong response to questions about global warming is among the standout results in this year's Lowy Institute Poll, with the numbers demanding action ''even if this involves significant costs'' building on a small rebound in last year's survey.

''After five years of successive decline in Australians' concern about climate change, last year's poll showed the first upward trend in the number of Australians who see climate change as a 'serious and pressing problem','' the report's author, Alex Oliver, said.

''This trend continues,'' said Ms Oliver, declining to elaborate before the report's release on June 4. ''Australians have strong views on the leader- ship role government should take.''

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The shift in sentiment follows a year of extreme weather events, including the hottest year on record for Australia in 2013, October's early-season bushfires near Sydney, and last summer's heatwaves in Melbourne, Adelaide and elsewhere. Much of south-eastern Australia has also been basking in exceptionally warm conditions for late autumn. Melbourne posted its 13th day in a row of 20 degrees or warmer weather on Friday, almost double the previous record of seven for this late in May.

How much Australians tie global warming worries to the weather is unclear, although at least one study of US opinions since 1990 found clear links. Former prime minister Julia Gillard also viewed the breaking of Australia's drought in 2009 as sapping support for action on climate change.

That view may be tested in the coming year as the likelihood of an El Nino increases the risk drought will return to south-eastern Australia.